You, your baby, and the environment all benefit when you make the decision to breastfeed. Benefits times three is something...

You, your baby, and the environment all benefit when you make the decision to breastfeed. Benefits times three is something to celebrate.

Mama benefits: Breastfeeding helps to contract the uterus right after birth. It will help you shed some extra baby weight and best of all, each time you breastfeed, hormones that provide you with a feeling of well-being are released. Mamas who breastfeed for six months or more have significantly lower rates of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers, urinary tract infections and osteoporosis later in life.

Baby benefits: Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. A living, health giving meal that provides your baby with important nutrients and with antibodies against respiratory and intestinal bacteria and viruses. Babies who breastfeed have lower rates of obesity, cancer, and heart disease along with stronger eyes, teeth, and bones.

Environment benefits: La Leche League reports, "the 80,000 US mothers who breastfeed their babies for six months save 17,200 tons of tin that would have been used just for formula containers. On the other hand, 74% of babies are being fed formula at six months, which results in more than 44 million cans of formula that have to be produced, transported and then piled into landfills." Not to mention the energy saved on heating and storing formula.

Numerous studies show that the main reason mamas don't breastfeed, isn't because they can't, but because they haven't received the support they need. If you have breastfeeding concerns contact La Leche League. They can help you get started down the path to a successful breastfeeding experience.